6 of 31

Write now Article Tools

This is a subject our family knows about, because we lost our Father and we lost a Brother to cancer. When a loved one gets the diagnosis of cancer it is devastating. It makes you so sick to your stomach. Then after the initial shock is worn off, the fight is on.

My Father passed away 18 years ago from lung cancer. He was told by doctors in the beginning that he had five to six months to live. My Dad did not take this as Gospel, he went about his life as if they were wrong. He did have to go for Radiation Treatments, but the doctors could not do surgery because his cancer was too far advanced. My dad spent his time planting his garden he loved so much and mowing grass, which he loved to do also. This went on and on until we were all beginning to think maybe Dad was right and the Doctors have made a terrible mistake.

This was not the case. he fought a good fight, we all did and it made his life good and worth living. It was not five or six months, it was just over seven years. Even though we did have to let him go, we had these extra years because my Dad had such a positive attitude. He never lost his since of humor, even when we were all near tears. He went through so much in the end, but never complained, he just told us how pretty his Nurse's were. He always held my Mom's hand, I think that was the hardest part for him.....Leaving Her. The last thing my Dad said to me while holding my hand, was "Take Care of Your Mother". We did that for as long as we could, but she is now in a Nursing Home. Mom is 92 and has Alzheimer's Disease, she doesn't remember Dad or any of us now. This s another sad disease to deal with.

I also lost a Brother to esophageal cancer eight years ago. My brother was not as fortunate as my father was. When he was diagnosed, he had to endure serious surgery. When the doctor got into the cancer, he found it was more than they had thought and did nothing except sew my brother up. My brother called me almost everyday. He did not live near me, I am in Ohio and he was in Massachusetts.Actualy we called each oth, sometimes he would get lonely and call me at work, just to say Hi! We kept in touch until he could not speak anymore. I knew each time he had his chemo treatments and I felt for him. I prayed and prayed for him to get well but it was not to be.

My Brother was just nineteen months younger than me. We lost him just a short eight months after he was diagnosed. He was so brave to go through all he had to endure. Before his death, he suffered so much. I could hardly stand it, just listening to him breath, when they held the phone to his ear and I would talk to him. This was so hard to do, but it had to be God giving me the strength to comfort my Brother. The Hospice Nurse would get on the phone and tell me, I do not know how your Brother is still living. He had such a will to live. I know he is in a better place now and away from his pain. That is the only peace I can feel from his death. I miss him so much, as we all miss our loved ones when they pass.

I really wish our story had a good ending. My Brother and my Dad are together forever. We all need to cherish our loved ones and appreciate the time we get to spend with them, because we never know when something will happen and they or we may be taken away forever.
Tell the ones you love "That You Love Them" and don't put it off, or it could be too late. I am so very glad, I always tell my Family and Friends, I Love Them. I want them all to remember they are loved by me. We each have to do that for our loved ones and our self.

Learn more about this author, Miss AngelDe.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Testimonies: When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer?
We want to hear your view. Write now!